339

XVIII.] SUPERSTITIOUS AND IDOLATROUS. "nothing is wanting to him on that side, but that "he should be avowed. Why should we not hope "to conclude in the same manner disputes less difficult and of less importance!" Surely then, therefore, Leibniz and Molanus saw, in the church of Rome, no 66 SUPERSTITION OR IDOLATRY."

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3. You know that Leibniz was one of the most learned men and most profound philosophers whom the world has produced:-read his "Systema "Theologicum." He discusses in it, article by article, the whole creed of the roman-catholic ehurch:- He discovers in none of its tenets 66 SUPERSTITION OR IDOLATRY."

4. You know in what terms of respect other protestants have spoken of the church of Rome. To some of these I have referred in the preceding article. Permit me now to refer you to Melancthon's letter to cardinal Campegio, published by Beausobre in his valuable History of the Reformation; it shows how nearly, at one time, matters were thought to be accommodated between the catholic church and the lutherans:-Permit me also to refer you to the Memoir which accompanied the Confession of Augsburg, when it was presented to Charles V. in which it was requested,-" 1st, That the pope "would have the goodness to concede to the pro"testants communion under both kinds, particu

larly as the protestants did not blame those who "communicated in one kind only; and confessed "that the body of Jesus Christ entire, together "with his blood, was received under the sole species

XVIII.]

SUPERSTITIOUS AND IDOLATROUS.

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Probably those injudicious publications talked of "POPERY," and its "SUPERSTITION AND IDO

LATRY.

Greatly indeed is it to be lamented, that, where such a general disposition of conciliation appeared, and such near approaches to it were actually made, any thing should have prevented its completion!

With the reign of James II. you close your work; the task which I have imposed upon myself is therefore finished.

With many thanks to you for the pleasure I have derived from many of your former publications,

I have the honour to be,

Lincoln's-Inn, 4th November 1824.

With the greatest respect,

Your most obedient servant,

CHARLES BUTLER.

APPENDIX.

Note I.

Opinions of Foreign Universities on the temporal Power of the Pope, referred to in page 124.

IN pursuance of Mr. Pitt's suggestions, three questions were sent to the universities of the Sorbonne, Louvaine, Douay, Alcala and Salamanca. They were expressed in the following terms, and received the following answers:

"1. Has the pope or cardinals, or any body of men, "or any individual of the church of Rome, any civil "authority, power, jurisdiction, or pre-eminence what"soever, within the realm of England?

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"2. Can the pope or cardinals, or any body of men, or any individual of the church of Rome, absolve or dispense with his majesty's subjects, from their oath of allegiance, upon any pretext whatsoever?

"3. Is there any principle in the tenets of the catholic faith, by which catholics are justified in not keeping "faith with heretics, or other persons differing from "them in religious opinions, in any transaction, either "of a public or a private nature?

any

The universities answered unanimously:

"1. That the pope or cardinals, or any body of men, or individual of the church of Rome, has not, nor "have any civil authority, power, jurisdiction, or pre"eminence whatsoever, within the realm of England.